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Leeser to take 4-week leave for health reasons

Mayor Oscar Leeser delivers his State of the City address Wednesday night at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center. He said Thursday he will take approximately four weeks off to deal with health issues.(Photo: MARK LAMBIE/EL PASO TIMES)Buy Photo

Mayor Oscar Leeser announced he will take a four-week leave from his duties at City Hall to deal with health issues, the city announced Thursday.

“I will need to address some health issues. I will be out for approximately four weeks and return ready to continue to work hard for our community,” Leeser said in a statement released Thursday. “During this time I ask that you please respect our privacy and allow me time to recuperate. Thank you for your understanding and support.”

Leeser, 58, did not specify whether the health issues are related to a previous skin cancer diagnosis.

He could not be reached for comment.

The mayor was diagnosed in October with stage 2 malignant melanoma, a serious skin cancer that if not treated in its early stages can quickly spread and be fatal. Leeser had surgery in November at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and returned the same week. He did not miss any City Council meetings for the treatment.

Leeser at the time said the melanoma was caught and removed at an early stage. He also said he would be receiving periodic checkups.

City Attorney Sylvia Borunda Firth said the mayor will ask to be excused for any meetings he misses. The council will need to act on his request.

“The mayor pro tempore will preside over all the meetings the mayor misses,” Borunda Firth said in an email.

According to the City Charter, during the absence or disability of the mayor, the mayor pro tempore shall act as mayor but shall vote as a representative and shall have no veto power. City Rep. Dr. Michiel Noe is the acting mayor pro tempore.

The charter also states that an alternate mayor pro tempore be in place should both the mayor and mayor pro tempore be absent. The alternate would serve until either returns. City Rep. Carl Robinson is alternate mayor pro tempore.

Noe said he and the mayor have been discussing the potential leave of absence, so he has had time to prepare.

“I will do my best to do what I think he would want done anyway,” Noe said. “(But) I’m not the mayor, I’m just filling in.”

Noe also said he will do his best to ensure the meetings run smoothly.

“It’ll be business as usual,” Noe said, adding that he wishes the mayor a speedy recovery.

Robinson said he will be available to step up to the plate as alternate mayor pro tempore if necessary.

“I am up for the task,” Robinson said. He also said he wishes the mayor a quick recovery.

“I want him to recover as fast as possible, but I don’t want him to rush. (The mayor) needs to make sure he follows the doctor’s orders,” Robinson said. “We are ready to go to work and keep the train on the tracks.”

City Rep. Lily Limón said it will be a long four weeks without the mayor’s presence.

“The mayor is like a workhorse; he is constantly doing so many things,” Limón said. “The thought of him not being around for four weeks is stunning.”

Limón also said she would not be surprised if Leeser returns to City Hall before the four weeks are up.

Leeser did not take a leave of absence after his surgery in November, although his doctors recommended that he not return to work for a while.

“Knowing the mayor, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back in two or three weeks,” she said. Limón also said that health is a priority and she offered the mayor her thoughts and prayers.